The 19th annual “Cheap Jewelry Sale” began today at 9 a.m. and will continue until 6 p.m. where alumni and Bachelor of Fine Arts students in the jewelry and metalsmithing program proudly showcase their unique creations in the lobby of Lawrence Hall.

Each student had to produce a jewelry collection of at least 15 pieces including rings, necklaces, earings, glasses and more. All of the jewelry is selling for $35 or less hence the name, “Cheap Jewelry Sale.”

The quality of these collections, however, is anything but cheap. Students use a range of materials from silver to nontraditional materials such as wood, plastics and rubber, creating a diverse selection of jewelry to choose from.

Money raised will go toward guest lectures and studio equipment for the art department. These students are being rewarded for their hard work through the success of the sale.

Students are overcome with excitement due the fact that some students have sold so much within the first 45 minutes of the sale.

“This feels great and weird and awesome. I have spent so much time doing everything and it’s, what, 9:45 and I have sold out of almost everything,” junior material and product studies major Paolo Bocchio said.

Senior art major Kirk Wilson is president of the American Sign Language Club, which was his inspiration for his jewelry collection. Wilson is selling necklaces and earings, made of sterling silver that have a small sign language hand on the saying things from “I love you” to “U of O.” He also has already sold out of much of his collection.

The styles of jewelry at the show vary. One student, Sihui Zhang, a fifth-year Bachelor of Fine Arts student, has a collection of necklaces that resemble something like dripping metal. Her idea behind this collection was to transition from antique to contemporary.

Designers stand by to give more insight on their collections, giving each piece more personality.

Follow Mackenzie Lamberton on Twitter @Macklamberton